Growth and Development Evaluation in Utah

Every child develops at their own pace, and when it comes to orthodontic care, timing is everything. At Utah Orthodontic Care, we provide professional Growth and Development Evaluations as part of our early-phase treatment services to monitor how your child’s smile and jaw are forming.

These evaluations are a key component of Phase I Orthodontics, allowing us to identify potential alignment or bite issues before they become more complex. With regular monitoring, we can recommend the right time to begin treatment—or simply keep an eye on things until intervention is necessary.

A Growth and Development Evaluation is a clinical review of your child’s facial structure, jaw growth, and tooth eruption patterns. It includes diagnostic imaging, orthodontic measurements, and periodic assessments that help our team understand if—and when—orthodontic treatment should begin.

During these visits, we evaluate:

• The timing and sequence of permanent tooth eruption
• Development of the upper and lower jaws
• Early signs of bite issues such as crossbites, overbites, or underbites
• Spacing or crowding concerns
• Impact of oral habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting
• The need for interceptive treatment or appliances

If a problem is identified, we may recommend early intervention through space maintainers, palatal expanders, or habit appliances.

If everything is progressing normally, we’ll simply continue with scheduled evaluations every 6–12 months.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children receive their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At this stage, the mix of baby and permanent teeth makes it easier to detect early issues. Even if no immediate treatment is needed, beginning evaluations now ensures we’re ready to act if problems arise later.

Children who may particularly benefit from early evaluations include those who:

• Lost baby teeth early or late
• Show signs of jaw shifting or asymmetry
• Have difficulty chewing or biting
• Exhibit prolonged oral habits
• Experience speech difficulties related to bite or tongue position

If your child’s dentist or pediatrician has noted any of these signs, scheduling a free orthodontic consultation is a smart next step.

Each visit is designed to be comfortable, informative, and child-friendly. A typical appointment may include:

1. Review of dental and medical history
2. Digital X-rays or 3D imaging to assess tooth and jaw development
3. Photos and measurements of the face, bite, and dental arches
4. Discussion with parents about observations and future recommendations
5. Personalized monitoring plan, including how often to return for checkups

We take a conservative, observation-first approach and only recommend treatment when there’s a clear benefit to early intervention.